Starter solenoid engaged or original starter?

Thread Starter

BMorse

Joined Sep 26, 2009
2,675
This question was PM'd to me by an op, I just thought I would post it on here so everyone can benefit/give advice.

Here is the question:

fomoco_80 said:
I am Chris from Malta owning an Escort Mk1 and I have recently bought a starter with the solenoid engaged. I also left the cars original solenoid in place (so eventually Im using 2 solenoids).
Will I get more power to start up the engine or I am loosing power? Is it better to use only 1 solenoid? If yes which one is the best to use?
I have the battery in the boot, 1600cc engine with high compression.....this is why I dont want to loose any power and get all the power to start up the engine.
Hope I hear back from you.
Thanks alot
Chris
here is my answer:
Chris,
A solenoid is used only to engage the starter motor, it has nothing to do with power, a solenoid is basically just a (switch)relay capable of handling the starter motors current draw, when the solenoid is engaged, it closes a contact that lets power from the battery go directly to the starter motor, the only way you would not get enough power to turn the motor over is if the battery is not capable of outputting the cranking amps the starter motor requires. I would suggest just using 1 solenoid, preferably the one that came with the starter, since that solenoid is rated to handle that particular starter motor.

P.S.
I will post this as a new thread topic so others can learn from it, this is how we prefer to do things here, asking questions via PM's is usually not the best way to get the best answer, sometimes others might have a better insight into your problem/issue and may provide a better solution.

B. Morse
 

SgtWookie

Joined Jul 17, 2007
22,230
I think Mr. Morse basically covered it.

I am not familiar with the Ford Escort starters; only those Ford starters that were used long ago with external solenoids.

Having the battery in the boot is good on many standpoints (cooler place for the battery, better weight and balance) but it is lousy for power transmission; you need very thick cables running from the boot to the engine compartment.
 
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